Polish journalist Karolina Opolsk’s debut book, *The Theory of Conspiracy, the True History of the World*, is accused of containing footnotes that cite non‑existent sources, igniting a heated online dispute involving the author, her publisher, and science populariser Artur Wójcik.
Accusations Surface on X
During a promotion on X, Artur Wójcik questioned why certain footnotes in Opolsk’s book reference nonexistent works. He claimed the errors undermine the book’s credibility and suggested artificial‑intelligence assistance may have been used.
The tweet went viral, generating widespread criticism and debate across social media platforms.
Author Responds
Opolsk defended the accuracy of her references, stating a “minor miscommunication” caused the issue and that the publisher would provide an official clarification soon.
She denied any involvement of artificial‑intelligence tools and stated she would refrain from public commentary to avoid escalating the hostile environment.
Publisher Issues Statement
HARDE, the publisher, released a formal statement denying any AI involvement and attributing the erroneous footnotes to technical errors during publication.
It apologized to readers, confirmed the book is well‑documented, and affirmed confidence in Opolsk’s research integrity.
Wójcik Maintains Doubt
Despite the publisher’s explanation, Wójcik reiterated that the errors could not be accidental, questioning the overall quality of the book’s content after subsequent corrections.
He posted additional criticisms on X, expressing skepticism about the revised editions.
Repercussions and Clarifications
The controversy prompted extensive online traffic, with the dispute attracting hundreds of thousands of views.
Both the author and publisher emphasize that a future, comprehensive statement will address all concerns and reaffirm the book’s scholarly standards.
